EverythingHealth is designed to address the rapid changes in Science, Medicine, Health and Healing in the 21st Century. This site will sift through the vast amount of confusing data and simplify issues that are of interest to everyone interested in a healthy life and longevity. The writings on EverythingHealth are entirely my own views and opinions.

Monday, March 10, 2008

Reduce Stress - 3 Simple Ways

EverythingHealth is happy to present a guest blog today from educator and writer, Susan Jacobs.

Keep Healthy By Reducing Stress - 3 Simple Ways

Let’s face it; life can be very stressful at times for everyone. With worries about jobs, families, friends, and much more, the average person deals with a considerable amount of stress daily. New research has shown that stress can have extremely negative effects on the health of a person. Life-threatening events such as strokes and heart attacks are often caused by stress. With that in mind, I decided that it would be a nice idea to provide information on 3 things that cause stress, and 3 ways to alleviate stress.

Top 3 Stressors

1. Relationships

This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who has been in a relationship, but relationships can be downright stressful sometimes. There are a lot of issues that can occur between two people, which can cause considerable strain on any relationship. When relationships end the amount of stress can really take a toll on one’s body and mind.

2. Finances

In today’s “dog-eat-dog” world, financial stability is paramount. In other words, financial worries can cause a significant amount of stress. Bills, credit cards, mortgages, and other various debts can often take their toll on a persons overall health.

3. Time Management (Or a lack there-of)

People are simply too busy sometimes these days. With work, school, families, clubs, and various other activities, there is often little time to relax. Time management is a major cause of stress amongst people. When many things need to be accomplished, but there just seems like there’s not enough time in the day to do it all, stress levels can go through the roof.

Stress Relievers

I started with highlighting the stressors so readers can identify the source (which is half the battle). The next thing to do is get rid of the stress completely, or at least lessen it for a while. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways.

1. Working Out

Physical activity is a great stress reliever. It’s healthy, and is not terribly time consuming in order to be effective. It can also lead to higher self-esteem as those who work out regularly eventually start to get into shape. When life around the house, or work, or wherever seems to be too stressful, going to the gym and lifting a little bit, running, or any other activity can be a great stress reliever. The best thing about it is that you are adding to productivity is well, which always increased confidence.

2. Sleep, Sleep, Sleep

Too many people today go through their whole weeks without ever getting the right amount of sleep. Most people become irritable when they are tired. Being tired is likely to make you much more stressed than it’s worth. Set scheduled bed times if you have to. Give yourself time for a nap when you get home from work, or whenever you are free. Sometimes the best way to relieve stress is to simply shut your eyes for a few and relax. Not to mention, you’ll be much more mentally agile if you’ve had a full nights sleep. Remember, a lack of sleep always leads to stress.

3. Management

Time and finances are usually the most limited resources in any person’s life, which can lead to stress over anything that concerns that. If you can merely manage them both, things won’t be as stressful. For time, make use of date books, calendars, planners, and anything else you might think you need don’t over-stretch yourself and make room for relaxing time, eating, and sleeping. The busiest person I know isn’t nearly as stressed as me because she makes use of time management.

For finances, management is also a key component. If you have a credit card, don’t buy something unless you can afford to pay it off. Also, if you don’t need it, don’t get it. Too many people get credit cards and see a fountain of wealth. There are countless financial management seminars, tapes, CDs, books, etc for people who don’t know where to begin. If you’re really struggling, consult a professional. In any case, the stresses of finances shouldn’t dominate your life. You can be proactive and take control of reducing your stress.

Stress can have extremely negative effects on both the body and mind. With the constant worries many have, it may seem like too much of a daunting task to deal with everything. However, using a few simple pieces of advice can go a long way. Managing, sleeping, and working out are just a few examples of great ways to relieve stress. Remember, sometimes life gets to the best of us, but things have a habit of turning around in your favor eventually.

Susan Jacobs is a teacher, a freelance writer as well as a regular contributor for NOEDb a site helping students obtain an online nursing degree. Susan invites your questions, comments and freelancing job inquiries at her email address: susan.jacobs45@gmail.com.

2 comments:

Very good article. Thank you for sharing. Through books written by Dr. Judith Orloff and her videos on YouTube, I learned that I was more stressed that I thought and had to learn how to practice stress relieving and reducing activities. I found the most valuable lesson I learned was to watch out for those people in my life who stressed me out and how to reduce the level of stress that I was getting from them without hurting their feelings. Not easy, but since I have done this, I feel a million times better.

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About Me

I am an Internal Medicine physician who has practiced for over 25 years in Northern California. I was previously the President of the SF Medical Society and Chief of Staff at a large academic medical center. I am currently the Chief Executive Officer for a large Physician and health care provider group in Northern
California. My practice is smaller now
but caring for patients is still the most important part of my work. I love taking care of patients one:one as well as influencing health care at a larger level.
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